Grammar Police: Lay and Lie

Knowing when to use lay and when to use lie is tricky. I mess it up myself from time to time, and over half of all writers do as well, if I was going to guess on statistics. Here’s a quick guide:
You lay an object. So, the following sentences are correct:

Lay the book on the table.
The girl will lay her clothes on the bed.
I want to lay this blanket on the chair.

You lie if you’re talking about yourself…or another thing (like a pet) is doing it to itself. So, the following sentences are correct:

The child will lie down in the …read more